I've been using 700x32 Nokian W106 studded tires on ordinary rims having an inside width of 16mm. The tires fit, but mounting them is a major struggle. Even in a warm room it requires a couple of steel tire levers, a "bead jack" and some degree of violence. Fixing a flat on the road would be out of the question.

According to the Sheldon Brown chart, the rim width is adequate but on the low end. My question is, is this part of what's making the tires so difficult to mount? In general is it easier to mount a tire on a wider rim?

The 106 is 700 x 35 or 42 (two sizes are available). The A10 is 700 x 32. I run the A10's on 16mm rims, but the 35 should be on a 17 or better (good rule of thumb is 1:2 rim to tire for clinchers, and slightly smaller tire for tubular, like a 19mm on a 13.5 rim)

I have an A10 on my Cross check. I believe I'm running an Alex Adventurer. The Nokians tend to be a real bitch to mount, but I can usually get it on/off with minimal tire lever use. A little more rim width "may" give you enough room to get the bead centered on the rim to make it easier to mount. Or it may not.

I also have a Schwalbe for the front. That seems easier to mount, FWIW.

Some confusion exists regarding the sizes, with several sources claiming a 32mm width is available:

http://www.bicycleeverything.com/produc ... -Tire.html

However I looked again and mine are in fact 35, not 32. I think I'll ask a wheel builder for ideas on rims that would be a better fit. The way these fit now is just not workable.

I wish they would build a 700 x 25 studded tire - even with like 60 studs it would be great

I used to use Nokian gazza extremes and they were a total motherfucker to put on. I think it's just the stiff bead they use. My 45nrth Xerxes went on like nothing, but they're also sub 500g and folding bead.

The difficulty of mounting a tire has virtually nothing to do with the width of the tire vs. rim and almost everything to do with the shape of the rim and the size of the tire bead. Tire beads are always going to be a tiny bit over or under the proper spec, and certain brands or models tend to go one way or the other.

Rims have the same issue of never being exactly on spec, but by far the biggest difference is due to the shape of the inside of the rim. Rims with a deep "well" will make almost any tire much easier to mount. Rims with a very shallow well don't have as much place for the bead to go while it is being popped over the far side of the rim, and require more violence and brute force to lever into place.

It is true that you want to keep the width of the tire and the width of the rim in consideration for good tire shape and to reduce the risk of rolling a tire off of a rim, but it should not have any appreciable impact on the ease of mounting a tire.

Noted.

Technically, these rims are too narrow so that in itself is a reason to replace them. I will probably bring a tire to a store and try it on some rims.